Water treatment experts say chlorine is used to treat contaminated water because it’s the most inexpensive method – not because it’s the most effective.

But some residents in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, say their health is paying a high price.

From raw red rashes to scalp psoriasis, one local resident said it’s as if he’s “rotting away.”

While officials use chlorine to keep parasites and brain-eating amoeba out of their water, it’s proven to be somewhat of a double-edged sword.

This episode of Unfiltered features two women who believe their skin problems are linked to chlorinated water.

For more stories like this, check out our major multimedia project Troubled Water, which goes live on Aug. 14.

Jennifer Kieff said she feels that her skin condition makes her look “like an alligator.” She continues to seek advice from dermatologists. (Photo by Jasmine Spearing-Bowen/News21)